Author: Leonard Nelson

Every homeowner will face a plumbing problem, no matter how well he takes care of his home and plumbing system. Plumbing problems such as a dripping kitchen faucet and banging pipes are very common in every household. However, no matter how small a plumbing problem may seem, it is important to address it in a timely manner. If you delay repairing an issue, such as poor water pressure or a slow draining toilet, you will experience a more severe problem sooner or later. Big problems always come with greater damage and costlier repairs. The only way to avoid costly repairs and severe damage is to hire a professional plumber. SF Bell Plumbing is ready to assist you and ensure your home’s plumbing is always in top condition.

Learn more about common plumbing problems that require calling a professional.

Noisy Pipes

This common household plumbing problem is also known as water hammer. The noise typically starts out as soft tapping, but if not addressed in time, may progress into loud hammering. These noises are caused by loose pipes, high water pressure or water trapped inside air chambers. If you are dealing with noisy pipes, SF Bell Plumbing can thoroughly check your plumbing system and repair your pipes.

Dripping Faucets

This plumbing nuisance typically occurs when washers on your compression faucets get worn out. This happens due to repeated use and you can do nothing to prevent it. You have to replace the washer in order to stop water leakage. The ball and disc faucets that have only one handle are typically more durable than compression faucets. However, when leakage occurs, you will have to replace the entire unit.

If you have a pair of pliers and a screwdriver, you can handle this minor issue on your own. However, if you have never done this before, it is best to leave the job to a professional plumber. Keep in mind that not replacing the worn out washer may lead to greater water leakage in the future. To avoid wasting of water and potentially paying high water bills, it is best to address the problem as soon as you notice it.

Clogged Pipes

Clogged pipes present a major plumbing inconvenience because they can lead to back-flow of water in your sink or toilet. The pipes are typically elbow-shaped under your bathroom or kitchen sink. Due to their shape, they easily trap dirt and debris, which may lead to a clog over a period of time. To prevent clogs, it is best to occasionally use enzyme-based drain cleaners.

In case you are already dealing with a clog, try using a plunger. If that doesn’t help, you will have to call a plumber. Experts at SF Bell Plumbing have dealt with this problem numerous times before. They can quickly come to your home, unscrew the elbow and remove all the debris.

In case of toilet blocks, when plungers don’t do the trick, professionals use a plumbing snake. This tool is so powerful that is can even unclog the most stubborn clogs.

Leaking Shower Heads

If the leak is located near the arms, the washer will have to be replaced. This is done by unscrewing the shower head from its adjusting ring.

Poor water pressure is typically caused by mineral build-up. The problem can easily be solved by cleaning the inside of the shower head and applying petroleum jelly on the shower ball.

When facing a plumbing problem, some people want to hire professionals immediately while others think that they are perfectly capable of solving the problem themselves. DIY approach is a good idea if you know what you are doing. In case you have some basic plumbing skills and knowledge, and the right tools, you can easily fix the issue if it is simple. On the other hand, if you have no idea what to do, and you are trying to repair your sink or installing a hot water heater, you risk making things much worse. In these situations, getting in touch with a reputable plumber is recommended.

It is essential to be aware that fixing the problem by yourself if you have no idea what to do won’t do you any good. Unfortunately, many people opt for this option because they think that hiring professionals is just a waste of money. Of course, something like this is not true, and most of these homeowners end up contacting experts anyway. Keep in mind that you risk making things worse and causing property damage if you try to fix something complicated without any experience or knowledge. When facing a severe problem, it is the best idea not to waste precious time, and to get in touch with one of the reputable local plumbers as soon as possible. This option has many benefits compared to the DIY approach.

Assistance from Professionals

One of the benefits of calling experts for help is that you will receive professional assistance. It is crucial to know that, in some cases, plumbing problems can appear to be very simple even though they are not. In contrary, they can often be quite complicated to fix. An average homeowner lacks the knowledge and skills necessary to determine whether the problem is serious or not. Luckily, when in doubt, you can always seek the assistance from professionals. They know how to determine the severity of the situation, and how to locate and repair the source of the problem. Thanks to them, your troubles will be over in no time.

Efficient Service

Another benefit of plumbing contractors is that they can provide you with the hastiest service. In case you are facing a very severe issue, it is crucial to get in touch with someone who will take care of it shortly. When dealing with an emergency, most people can’t afford to wait for a long time to have the problem fixed. For example, in case of a burst pipe, or a leaking tap that causes overflowing, you should contact someone who will fix the problem immediately.

Valuable Advice

Besides taking care of your issue, reputable contractors will advise you on how to prevent the similar situation from happening again in the future. Something like this is very beneficial, as many plumbing problems can be prevented with the right care. Advice from experts can save you a lot of money in the long run. They can also tell you more about the condition of your plumbing system and recommend replacement if necessary. It is especially valuable if you live in an old house.

Some people prefer hiring professionals, while others want to take care of things in their homes themselves. Of course, the choice is all yours, and it is up to you to decide what to do when facing a plumbing emergency. However, it is a much wiser option to get in touch with experienced contractors when dealing with a severe issue.

They Have the Latest Equipment

One of the reasons for hiring a professional plumber is that they have the latest equipment. Reputable experts are up-to-date with the newest equipment and tools that they may need when providing plumbing services. They have the skills, experience, and tools necessary for resolving even the most difficult problems in the plumbing field. Although you can fix some small issues with the equipment that you already have somewhere in your house or a garage, more complicated problems require latest tools.

They Can Provide Multiple Services

You should be aware that professionals can provide multiple services in one visit. No matter if you want to install new pipes, replace old ones, fix water leaks, install a dishwasher, or more, they can help you in one visit.

All you need to do is to make a list of problems that you have and contact one of the plumbers in your area for help. Explain your situation, tell them what is wrong, and they will arrive at your house soon ready to help you. Thanks to the assistance from experienced plumbers, you can get rid of multiple plumbing nightmares with only one visit.

They Provide Emergency Services

Some plumbers work only during regular business hours, while others provide emergency services. It means that they are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week ready to help you. Unfortunately, the chances that you will experience an emergency out of regular business hours are high. In these situations, you may not have the luxury to wait until the morning, and that’s what emergency plumbers are for. Even if you give them a call in the middle of the night, they will arrive at your house as soon as possible. Thanks to them, you won’t be at risk of property damage and other serious consequences of urgent plumbing trouble.

They Have Professional Training

If you hire a reputable and licensed plumber, you can rest assured he or she is the right choice. It is not possible to get a legal permit for providing plumbing services before completing required training and necessary tests. Thanks to the professional training, they are familiar with the best and latest ways of doing things and fixing problems. It means that they are far less likely to make an error compared to the work that you would do yourself. DIY approach is a bad idea compared to hiring professionals, and it can result in costly mistakes that can have consequences. You won’t have to worry about something like this if you hire experienced professionals with the right training and qualifications to provide plumbing services.

When you decide to hire a professional plumber to oversee plumbing troubles of your home, you don’t just hire the first one you meet right away. There are practical factors that should be established first before any plumbing work starts. Below are some of the key questions that you should ask every plumbing contractor or company you meet.

Do you have a license?

This is very important since the plumbing system can only be repaired by professionals most of the time. Don’t ever forget to ask such a question and don’t just settle with their word for it. Verbal agreements are not good all the time as some of them may only be operating without a license. Possessing a license in plumbing means that the plumbing company is registeredto a governing body at a local or state level. Take a look at the licensing rules of your local area to know more about what to expect from their licenses.

The problem with unlicensed plumbing contractors or specialists is that their skills or work do not pass inspection. You will also have to face little recourse when you hire them despite what happened. Always ask about their license and make sure you get to see one.

Flat or Hourly?

Many plumbing contractors build up their clauses in contracts wherein it states that the homeowners will bear whatever costs there is to complete the job. When you get an estimate or quote, make sure that you ask whether you are given a quote that is either flat rate or hourly rate. Flat rate means that the rate won’t change due to labor costs, while hourly rate means the labor costs only, usually without the total cost of the materials. The problem with the fixed or flat rate is that when the job runs beyond the time that is expected to finish, there might be added costs that are not included in the initial rate. You need to make sure that you know what you are getting before signing a contract.

Are they offering the total cost?

Most plumbing professionals and contractors offer their estimates for free. However, you should be extra wary about those who want to give one through their phone. Legit and licensed professional plumbing companies visit the site personally to check out the degree of the problem. Once they have assessed the problem and provided the amount of the cost, ask whether their quote they provide you includes labor, materials, and contingency in case any other problems arise. Some estimates may look amazing on paper, but may only include the basic price of the materials and may skyrocket as the work goes on. Each local plumber is different and can package the price to complete your job differently. Don’t be afraid to question what is included in the price for the work. You won’t want to find that you thought installation and cleanup were all included in the price, only to learn later that you have to clean up the mess by yourself, and you still need to run to Home Depot to get a few more pieces and parts to complete the plumbing project. One company we know, Jiffy Plumbing, actually provides a plumbing bill of rights for all of their customers in order to make sure the scope of the plumbing project is laid out prior to any work being done.

When will you want the payment?

Don’t forget to ask the plumber when they want to be paid and how much of the entire cost do they want to be paid upfront. If the potential plumbing company asks for the whole amount before even the job begins, find another company. Some companies make use of milestones. It means that once a particular piece of work in the plan is completed, they ask for a percentage of payment.

Commercial Or Residential Plumbing Services?

You may not even realize it, but there are companies that specialize in larger jobs and only will work with large commercial buildings or properties. If you are trying to have a toilet repaired or replaced in your home, or want to replace your your existing shower, you want to find a residential plumbing contractor. Ignore any listings for commercial plumbers near you as they will often times charge a premium for their service because they specialize in this type of work. The plumber that handles installing all of the toilets at Fed Ex Field in Washington DC is not going to be the same plumber that will stop your toilet from running. Focus on local residential plumbers when doing your search, and you should have no problems finding a quality expert to fix your problem.